Blues are in the market for fresh firepower but must be prudent this month as they count the cost of previous transfer window spending sprees.

They are not averse to looking down the divisions for gems having plucked Isaac Vassell from League Two Luton Town last summer.

If Blues do pursue an interest in the youngster, who made his England C debut in November, then boss Steve Cotterill is sure to hear rave reviews from Moors manager and former Blues midfielder Mark Yates.

Cotterill and Yates worked together at Cheltenham and Burnley. Yates was Cotterill's assistant manager.

KIEF CONTRACT

Maikel Kieftenbeld will remain a Birmingham City player having signed a new contract.

The Dutch midfielder has agreed a new two-year deal, with a year’s option which could keep him at the club until 2021.

In an otherwise frustrating transfer window the move is recognition of the fact the 27-year-old has become a key part of Steve Cotterill’s team.

It also ends any possibility of him moving on this month - a remarkable turnaround after the events of the last transfer window.

STOPPER SPECULATION

The Rams’ goalkeeper earned the Championship’s Player of the Month last month and has helped them into the automatic promotion spots after a series of impressive performances, but is lacking competition.

Carson’s current deputy, Jonathan Mitchell, has never played in the Championship.

Rowett brought Kuszczak into Blues in the summer of 2015, and the Pole has gone on to make 92 appearances for Blues.